Recently I attended a Coolest Summer Ever event at Walt Disney World where I got a whirlwind look at what’s in store this summer. It’s hard to believe that we’re moving quickly toward the busy tourist season, but the May off-season is almost over and the tourists will soon descend on the Orlando parks.

If you’re vacationing at Walt Disney World this summer, or if you’re a brave local who can’t go too long without your Disney fix, check out these videos for a peek at what you can do:

Tour the Downtown Disney waterways in an amphibicar (seriously, how cool is this? These are originals from the 1960s!):

See the American Music Machine at Epcot (talk about talent!):

New Tour at Disney’s Animal Kingdom (this is on my must-do list as I’d love to learn more about how they care for the animals):

Teen Beach Movie 2 Party (just one more reason to head over to Typhoon Lagoon this summer):

That’s just a quick sampling of what’s ahead, and Frozen Summer Fun returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios this year, too. Come on, admit it, you love Olaf! I most certainly do, and I was thrilled to meet him during the Coolest Summer Ever kick-off.

The heat came early to Orlando, so I’m already feeling like its summertime. The Coolest Summer Ever event just made this official (although Frozen Summer Fun doesn’t start until June 17), so now it’s time to enjoy!

Elsa’s been lighting up Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom every night since Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party started in November, and she’s not done yet. The other Disney holiday activities have been put to bed for another year, but Elsa, along with Anna, Kristoff, and Olaf, is still on vacation in Florida and she’s not going to stop her work until January 12th.

You can see everyone’s favorite ice princess use her powers to ice the castle through this coming Monday. If you haven’t seen it yet, here’s the show (I particularly like it because it has a walking, talking Olaf):

Even if you miss her performance, she and Elsa will still be on hand to greet guests at Princess Fairytale Hall (whatever you do, get a FastPass+ to avoid the long waits). They’re a lot of fun to meet, as I discovered earlier in 2014:

Given all their Frozen fame, the sisters have had a busy year at Walt Disney World. They also brought a chill to the summer at Disney’s Hollywood Studios with a parade, the Frozen sing-along show, a local branch of Oaken’s Trading Post, and even ice skating and a snowy play area. Here’s their special welcome parade that ran each day:

This overview of the whole event features scenes from the show (yes, I know you’re probably tired of hearing “Let It Go,” but I promise that it’s actually a lot of fun, and not just for the kids…there are plenty of laughs interspersed with the songs):

You can still catch the show, but Elsa and Anna’s horse-drawn carriage and float moved over to the Magic Kingdom just in time for the Christmas festivities. See them in the Christmas parade here:

And if that’s not enough Frozen fun for you, remember that the ride in Norway is currently under refurbishment and will eventually debut with a new Frozen overlay, Hopefully that means the trolls will still be around.

Yes, I know that’s a lot of Frozen, but you have to admit that it’s still wildly popular. Eventually their fame flame will burn out…or would that be melt down? Either way, soon enough a new Disney hit will take its place, but Elsa and Anna fans are getting lots of changes to meet their heroines in the meantime.

Christmas is a whirlwind time in the Orlando area because there’s so much to do in and around the theme parks. I’ve had some amazing opportunities throughout the season, and I’d like to share them in this recap. If they whet your appetite to extend your own Christmas season a little, never fear. Most of them are running through the end of the year or even a little beyond.

One of the highlights of every year is my annual visit with the Grinch. Just as little kids look forward to telling Santa Claus what they want to find in their stockings on Christmas morning, I love to chat with the Mean Green One on his version of Christmas cheer. You know that you leave out milk and cookies for Santa, but what does the Grinch prefer? Trash, of course, but no kitty litter please!

He’s always such a hoot:

You can still meet the Grinch yourself this year up until January 3 and see the adorable “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” live stage show at Islands of Adventure. The show is scored by Mannheim Steamroller, and they do live concerts next door at Universal Studios Florida each year. Unfortunately, those are over, but here’s a fun little tidbit from one of this year’s shows: the Grinch cast performing an abbreviated reading live with the band:

Mannheim Steamroller may be gone, but the Macy’s Parade remains at Universal Studios Florida til January 3, too. The parade is always great fun, and this year there’s a new wiggle worm balloon, along with the Chloe the Clown balloonicle. What the heck is that? Find out from John Piper himself, direct from the Macy’s studio. First, here’s what the inside looks like:

And now, here’s more on the balloons and the parade from John himself (don’t you love his entrance?):

And here’s the parade itself:

It’s well worth extending your Christmas season to run over to Universal Orlando Resort. While you’re there, I highly recommend trying the new Cowfish restaurant on CityWalk. It’s burger/sushi fusion…seriously…and it is soooo good. How did that concept ever see the light of day? Let the founders themselves tell you:

I don’t have much space for food porn in this article, so I’ll be doing a separate one, soon. Meanwhile, here’s some fresh, delicious sushi to tempt you:

The desserts are insane, too (one involves Nutella…need I say more?).

Meanwhile, Christmas continues over at Walt Disney World. Sadly, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is over for the year, but it was as much fun as always. Here’s a highlight reel from this year’s party to whet your appetite for 2015. “But it’s much too early,” you might say. It’s never too early, especially since tickets go on sale well in advance of the party and sell out quickly. I recommend planning now and buying tickets for your preferred date as soon as they go on sale:

Christmas at Epcot continues with the Candlelight Processional running through December 30. Steven Curtis Chapman is the closing narrator; I love both him and his music, but I have to admit that the narrator I was most excited about this year was Neil Patrick Harris, I know he’s appeared many times before, but somehow the planets had always aligned in a hostile manner that kept me from seeing the show. Finally, this year I saw him:

I’m sad that the Candlelight Processional is over soon. I love the live music and the stirring story of the nativity, but I know that technically Christmas is over. Still, things actually run all the way until January 4 over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. That’s where the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights carries on Jennings Osborne’s tradition of amazingly excessive decor. There’s something magical about standing in the middle of all those lights and letting their rhythm and the sound of the music envelop you. Here’s one song to give you a sampling:

January 4 is also the last day for Christmas at the Gaylord Palms Resort, featuring the annual Ice! display. This year, Ice! is themed to the Nutcracker and, better yet for the big kids, it features an ice bar right in the middle of the display. There’s nothing like a literally ice-cold sampling of Johnny Appleseed to warm you up inside:

Here’s a video of the entire display, including the lovely nativity that ends up every year’s display:

Ice! is just one small part of Christmas the the Gaylord Palms. Stick around for the Luminescence show, browse the beautiful decorations, catch a bargain in the Christmas store, and, best of all, take a spin on the alpine tube slides. Ice! is 9 degrees inside, but the alpine slopes are surprisingly warm, even though you’re sledding on real snow:

SeaWorld Orlando continues its Christmas celebration all the way through New Year’s Eve. It’s the perfect season extending option for animal lovers. I’m a huge fan of the “O Wondrous Night” show, which tells the nativity from the animals’ point of view. They’re puppets to start out with, but their real life counterparts take the stage for the big finale. What’s it like working with four-legged, furry and feathered stars? Hear from their trainer, Joel Slaven:

I loved meeting some of the animals up close:

Of course, I also enjoy the Shamu Christmas Miracles show because I love seeing Katina, Makaio, and the rest of the orca pod show their awesome power and intelligence. The talented skaters in Winter Wonderland on Ice wow me, too, but this year, I must admit that the thing that stood out most for me was the living angel statue. She was hilarious (and a bit devious, as you can see from the photo):

Here are some highlights of the SeaWorld Christmas Celebration. You can still enjoy it up through January 31.

I love living in Orlando, even in the heat of the summer when the temperature flirts with triple digits, but I must admit that, next to the Halloween haunt season, Christmas is truly the best time to live in the thick of the theme parks. It’s hard to believe that the special events are almost over already, but never fear…like Frosty the Snowman, they’ll be back again before you know it.

What is Night of Joy? If you’re not a Christian music fan, you might have no idea. However, if you’re like me and love bands and artists like Casting Crowns, Matthew West, Mercy Me, TobyMac, Mandisa, Chris Tomlin, Third Day, Building 429, you know that you can see many of this big names live over the two-night span of this event.

This year, many of the aforementioned artists will be at the Magic Kingdom on September 5 and 6 at the after-hours event. Yes, many of the rides are open, too, but I never have time to even think about taking a spin on Space Mountain because I’m always busily plotting which artists I want to see and how to get to the appropriate stage. Shows run simultaneously on two stages in Tomorrowland and the main stage in front of Cinderella Castle, so you have to pick and choose.

Here’s this year’s schedule (you can buy a one- or two-night ticket):

September 5, 2014

Hillsong United

Chris Tomlin

Matthew West

for KING & COUNTRY

Mandisa

Building 429

Matt Maher

The Neverclaim

September 6, 2014

Skillet

Casting Crowns

Mercy Me

Britt Nicole

Israel Houghton & New Breed

Colton Dixon

Rhett Walker Band

We As Human

1 Girl Nation

If you’d like a flavor of what Night of Joy is all about, here’s a video overview from last year:

I’m pleased that Matthew West is returning (and it’s his first year on the main stage), as his show is always a riot. Check of this video in which he performs the “Night of Joy Theme Song”:

The music itself is powerful, as are the artists’ personal testimonies. The atmosphere of fellowship leaves you feeling recharged, even if you stay until the very end and leave at 1 a.m. Z88.3 is the fixture on my radio dial, and I love seeing my favorite bands in person each fall after listening to them all year. If you’d like a chance to win tickets, the station is running a giveaway through August 29 that you can read about here.

The weather was a little soggy last year, but the Florida weather didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits. Hopefully this year the rain will stay away completely and the two nights will be packed with power and as amazing as always.

Follow me on Twitter via @themeparkwriter and stay tuned for more tips, observations, comments, and rants from someone who lives close enough to Walt Disney World to hear the fireworks from her house every night. I literally write my blog In the Shadow of the Mouse.

It’s most definitely summer in Florida, and the almost-daily rain storms prove it. Normally they start in the afternoon, but we’ve seen a few come in the late morning recently. Usually they let up, but sometimes they seem to hang on forever. If you’re in Orlando on vacation, that will no doubt make you impatient as you huddle under shelter in the theme park of your choice, wonder if you’ll pass out under the steamy humidity of your rain poncho, and wonder if the rain will ever stop so the fun can resume.

Believe it or not, you can use the pervasive Florida rain to your advantage. It’s something the locals all know, and tourists can use this trick too. Other people hate the rain just as much as you do, and that means many of them bail back to their hotels. If your family is prepared to tough it out, you’ll enjoy much shorter lines and a lesser crowd, even in the peak of the summer.

The first rule of preparation is to dress appropriately for the rain. Yes, those rain ponchos are uncomfortable, but they’re a necessity if you want to stay dry and don’t want to lug an umbrella around. I recommend wearing shorts with them; otherwise, long pants can still get uncomfortably soaked. Also, choose water-friendly shoes like Crocs or flip-flops (I personally opt for Crocs knock-offs on wet days). That way, you won’t be sloshing uncomfortably in soaked shoes and socks and developing a nasty case of blisters. Bring a waterproof bag to carry your belongings.

Once you’re properly suited up, get out there and enjoy the park! Just be sure to choose a park with lots of indoor attractions or rides that don’t shut down when it’s wet out. Virtually all outdoor rides are closed for safety when there’s lightning, but some can run in rainstorms as long as the lightning isn’t nearby. If you want to keep most of your fun indoors, places like Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Universal Studios Florida are ideal. Even SeaWorld, with all its outdoor shows, has more inside attractions than you might imagine, like Antarctica, Turtle Trek, the shark exhibit, the Manta aquarium, and Wild Arctic.

If you don’t want to get wet, you can still use the rain to your advantage. Choose a day with a long, vicious downpour, then wait until it stops and head immediately to your theme park of choice. It should be nearly deserted, since most of the attendees will have fled the inclement weather. You can get in some good ride time before they return. If it’s late enough in the day, the crowd might never build again and you can enjoy the solitude until closing time. This is especially helpful if you want to see one of the hot new Orlando attractions, like the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in New Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom or Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida.

I use the rain to my advantage all the time, and I recommend that you do, too. You can’t stop the summer rain in Florida, but you can make it work to your benefit.

In the meantime, please enjoy one of my favorite old SNL bits. This is the kind of confidence I want to have in my weatherman:

Follow me on Twitter via @themeparkwriter and stay tuned for more tips, observations, comments, and rants from someone who lives close enough to Walt Disney World to hear the fireworks from her house every night. I literally write my blog In the Shadow of the Mouse.

Recently, I blogged about my day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios enjoying all the Frozen Summer activities. After all, who can resist playing in the snow in Florida, seeing Anna and Elsa, and singing “Let It Go” for the five hundred and thirty-fourth time?

If you haven’t made it over to the park to see it all for yourself, perhaps these videos will whet your appetite and inspire you to run over to the Studios. Just about everything, other than the ice skating, is included with your admission ticket, so it’s a nice little enhancement to a park that already has fun rides and shows like the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, Star Tours, Muppets 3-D, and the ever-popular Toy Story Mania.

Below, you’ll find a full overview of Frozen Summer, which runs through September 1:

This is an event that you’ll want to tough out until the end. As you saw in the video above, it’s capped with an impressive fireworks display. If you’re hearty enough to arrive at park opening and stay until close, you’ll begin your day with a cute welcome from Olaf, as seen in the video below:

The two big shows are the Frozen Sing-Along and Anna and Elsa’s royal welcome, which combines a mini parade with a cute little stage show. You can see it in the video below:

Frozen Summer is a great way for Disney to integrate one of its hottest (coldest?) properties into its parks. Anna and Elsa already to meet and greets at the Magic Kingdom, but that park is always the most popular, and it also has the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, so it doesn’t really need any other draws. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is the perfect spot to act as the center of the Frozen action. In the video below, Creative Director Reed Jones talks about the event:

If you plan to make it out to Frozen Summer, you still have a while. Just hit the park by September 1 and you can witness snow in Florida, make your own snowman, and enjoy winter fun in the summer season.

“Frozen” is a box office phenomenon that remains wildly popular nearly a year after its theatrical release. The Anna and Elsa meet and greet at the Magic Kingdom routinely racks up multi-hour waits (hint: get a FastPass if you possibly can, but you need to do that early). Now the sisterly duo is spicing things up at Disney’s Hollywood Studios with Frozen Summer, a daily event that runs through September 1.

Nope, you won’t get to meet Elsa and Anna in person, but you’ll see them live in two shows, and you’ll enjoy winter activities that are pretty hard to come by in Florida at any time of year, like snowman building and ice skating. Just in case it’s been too long since you’ve heard “Let It Go,” you can get your fix at one of the daily singalongs.

I spent a day enjoying Frozen Summer, and I have to admit that it really brought out the kid in me. I arrived before park opening because I’m no fool: summer in Florida means massive crowds at Disney, especially with Anna and Elsa as an added attraction. Early arrival gives you a precious window of opportunity before the influx of humanity gets too overwhelming. If you plan to hit up Frozen Summer, I advise you to get there early too.

Once you arrive, you’ll get a cute little Olaf cutout that you can use for photo opportunities (and he doubles as a handy dandy fan, too). If you don’t get one at the entrance, they’re handed out at many kiosks around the park, too. As you can see in the photo below, Olaf and I managed to find Sven, or at least one of his relatives:

Since I was there for rope drop, I had a prime spot for the little opening ceremony up on the main stage. There aren’t any live Frozen characters, but Olaf appears up on the screen.You can see the opening in the video below:

Then the rope goes down and the mad rush for Toy Story Mania begins. I thought that Wandering Oaken’s Trading Post and the adjacent Frozen Funland might be crowded early on, but amazingly, it really wasn’t. I had no wait to step onto the snowy landscape and make a snowball:

I watched the fun on the ice skating rink, although I didn’t try it myself. Instead, I headed next door for a little shopping at the trading post, where I got an Elsa Magic Band.

I was dazzled by the wide array of Frozen merchandise, from books to dresses to t-shirts to dolls and more. People were grabbing handfuls of dolls and toys (you can’t buy more than five of any one item). Thankfully, there are many registers for check-out so the line moves pretty quickly. I was able to use my annual pass holder discount, which was a nice plus.

Next on my agenda was watching the royal welcome, a miniature parade and presentation on the main stage. You can either stake out a spot early or buy the Frozen Package, which also includes special seating for the singalong show and a pre-fireworks dessert party. If you have limited time and want to be sure to get the full Frozen experience, then I highly recommend it.

If you’re not in the package area, you’ll want to pick a spot as close to the stage as possible so you can see it for the show.

Various performers head down the street, and Elsa and Anna pass regally by in a horse drawn carriage. Keep an eye out for Kristoff, too. After the parade, they head onto the stage for a cute little show, topped off with a pretty intense “snow” shower. You can see the whole experience on the video below:

By now, it was almost lunch time, so I headed to Starring Rolls, my favorite place to catch a quick bite at the Studios. I’d been drooling over all the delicious Frozen-themed goodies in Oaken’s, so I got an Anna cupcake (chocolate with butter cream icing) to go with my sandwich. The Olaf cupcakes are a nice treat too (carrot cake with cream cheese frosting). And yes, that is a bare butt cheek photo bombing my cupcakes at the top of the photo.

Next, I headed for the Frozen Singalong in the Premier Theater, which is just past Muppets 3D. The show has several advantages. First, it’s in an air conditioned theater than feels so good after spending time outdoors in the heat.

Second, it’s so much to watch all the little “Frozen” fans. The young girl in front of me was vociferously singing “Let It Go” as we waited for the show to start, and I was amazed that such a small child would know all of the words.

Even if you don’t know all the songs by heart, the words are projected onto three big screens. The singalong is led by two royal historians who tell a Cliff Notes version of the tale while Anna heads out to find Elsa. I was surprised at the amount of humor in the show. Yes, some of the jokes are a little corny, but I’ll admit that I laughed my way through it. All the best songs are featured, and “Let It Go” is in there twice. Kristoff fans will find him here, and of course Anna manages to round up Elsa for a snowy finale.

The third thing I liked about the show was that it wasn’t something where you have to make the kids sit still and quiet. Instead, they’re encouraged to sing their little hearts out, and they really do get into it. Heck, some of the adults were singing with as much gusto as the kids.

The show is presented several times each day. so get a schedule when you get to the park and work your day around your preferred time. You get to pick a specific time for your preferred seating if you get the package.

Being a lazy local, I didn’t stick around for the night time dance party and fireworks. However, I highly recommend doing so, especially if you don’t live close by and therefore don’t get an opportunity to run by spontaneously to see them. You can easily plan to spend a whole day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios or to take the boat to Epcot for part of the day and then return for the night time fun.

Everything but the ice skating is included with your regular park admission. Of course, it costs extra to spring for the Frozen Package, but it’s well worth the money, especially during the insane summer season. If you plan to hit up this event, do it by September 1, as it melts into oblivion after that date.

Follow me on Twitter via @themeparkwriter and stay tuned for more tips, observations, comments, and rants from someone who lives close enough to Walt Disney World to hear the fireworks from her house every night. I literally write my blog In the Shadow of the Mouse.

I promised to issue full reports on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train event at Walt Disney World this week, so here’s quick installment from the first night (if you missed my previous article, you can find it here). The festivities kicked off with a Rock Your Disney Side party at Epcot, followed by Illuminations viewing. The party was packed with delicious food, wine, margaritas, and other drinks, and some great entertainment. However, I have to admit that the Disney characters were a big highlight of the night.

There were many traditional favorites on hand, like Mickey and Minnie Mouse, who dressed up in their formal wear to celebration the 25th anniversary of Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

Goofy was there to promote Blizzard Beach:

There were lots of characters from the Festival of Fantasy parade on hand, but the “Sleeping Beauty” contingent is my favorite:

Several Cast Members from Festival of the Lion King also paid a visit:

There were even living statues in the entryway:

But perhaps the best surprise was having Anna and Elsa sneak up on me as I was grabbing a photo with Olaf. I didn’t even know they were coming, and suddenly there they were!

Disney definitely knows how to throw a party, and I consider myself very lucky to attend. Here’s one last photo to show how my night ended with a perfect view of Illuminations:

Stay turned to “In the Shadow of the Mouse” for continued coverage, and follow me via @themeparkwriter on Twitter for live updates as we progress toward the dedication ceremony for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train on Friday.

Follow me on Twitter via @themeparkwriter and stay tuned for more tips, observations, comments, and rants from someone who lives close enough to Walt Disney World to hear the fireworks from her house every night. I literally write my blog In the Shadow of the Mouse.

When the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train opens at the Magic Kingdom, it will mark the completion of the New Fantasyland expansion. The area already has attractions like a Little Mermaid ride in Eric’s castle, Enchanted Tales With Belle, and the impressive Beast’s castle, which houses the Be Our Guest Restaurant. While Snow White’s Scary Adventure is history, the new ride will bring part her story back to the Magic Kingdom.

Although it’s a family coaster, meaning the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train will be suitable for everyone from Junior up to Grandma, it will still have a unique feature: trains that sway on the track. So what’s it like to ride this new attraction? I can’t tell you yet, but watch for my full report this weekend. I’m lucky enough to be attending a special media event that includes a preview of the brand-new coaster. I’ve got my “ticket to ride,” as you can see in the photo accompanying this article.

I’ll experience the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train for the first time ever on Thursday. I’ll have a video to share shortly thereafter, but in the meantime, enjoy these five videos that were recently posted in the Disney Parks Blog to whet everyone’s appetite for the new ride.

First, here’s one on the design:

Next, here’s a visit to the construction site. It sure looks a lot different now, with the ride just about ready to roll:

Here’s an early ride-through rendering:

Now take a peek inside at the dwarfs and mine:

Finally, here’s a CGI ride to get you excited for the real thing:

Watch for a full report on my Disney adventures, which start on Wednesday. In addition to riding the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, I’ll also be trying out MyMagic+ and learning about all the good stuff coming up at the Disney parks.

Follow me on Twitter via @themeparkwriter and stay tuned for more tips, observations, comments, and rants from someone who lives close enough to Walt Disney World to hear the fireworks from her house every night. I literally write my blog In the Shadow of the Mouse.

Now that FastPass+ is a thing, what rides should you grab when your booking window opens? As an annual pass holder, I’m at a disadvantage as I can only make ride and attraction reservations 30 days out. However, if you’re staying at a Disney resort, you can do it a full 60 days before you check in, as the Walt Disney World website explains. Either way, here are my suggestions for the FastPass+ ressies to grab at each of the four parks:

Magic Kingdom

Two words: Elsa and Anna. If you don’t want a multi-hour wait to meet everyone’s favorite princesses, this is the FastPass+ reservation to snap up as soon as it becomes available. Otherwise you’ll wait two hours, three hours, or possibly even more, depending on the crowd level. The second best option is a viewing spot for the Festival of Fantasy parade. Yes, you could go for a major ride like one of the mountains, but both Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain have interactive queue lines that give you something to do while you’re waiting, and most of the Space Mountain wait is indoors, in air conditioning. Waiting in those lines is preferable to standing out in the sun for an hour or more to stake out a good parade spot.

Epcot

Soarin’ is the main attraction here, although Test Track can get some pretty wicked wait times in the summer. Still, Test Track has a single riders line if your family is willing to be split up in separate cars. I’d rather get a Soarin’ FastPass and do Test Track as a single.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Toy Story Mania or Fantasmic. Toy Story Mania has obnoxious lines during the peak season, and Fantasmic attracts huge crowds that become something of a mob scene. Granted, the Tower of Terror and Rock n Roller Coaster are also popular, but their wait time rarely approaches Toy Story Mania. Better yet, Rock n Roller Coaster has a single riders line, so use the heck out of that if others in your party are amendable to the idea.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Kilimanjaro Safaris or Kali River Rapids in the summer. The safari is the signature ride here; you can usually get on with little to no wait if you rush to it early in the morning. Otherwise, just grab a FastPass and rush over to Expedition Everest instead. Yes, Expedition Everest offers FastPasses, too, but it has a single riders line, so that’s a wiser option if you don’t want to waste your precious FastPass allotment. However, if you’re visiting in the dead of summer, opt for Kali River Rapids instead. The line gets very long as people seek a good soaking to cool down in the vicious Florida heat.

Those are my personal suggestions. Sure, there are many, many other options, so work your FastPass+ selections around your own family’s tastes. Yes, it might be hard to plan something as detailed as your ride and show preferences that far in advance, but there’s also a big plus side. Once you make your reservation, you know for sure that you’ll be able to do the things that matter the most to you, even if the park is packed to capacity.

Follow me on Twitter via @themeparkwriter and stay tuned for more tips, observations, comments, and rants from someone who lives close enough to Walt Disney World to hear the fireworks from her house every night. I literally write my blog In the Shadow of the Mouse.

Barb Nefer was born in the wrong city and state, which she quickly realized after one too many bitter cold Chicago winters. She cut her teeth on “The Wonderful World of Disney” and various Disney toys and books, so it was only natural that she fell in love with Walt Disney World. The balmy Florida winters sealed the deal, and now she lives in the shadow of the Mouse.
Barb’s loyalty isn’t limited to Walt Disney World. She has annual passes to Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa, and Legoland Florida. As a tourist turned local, she enjoys using her insider knowledge to enjoy the parks to their fullest extent. She shares her observations, tips, and secrets in her blog, “In the Shadow of the Mouse.” She also covers the smaller attractions and fun things to do a little farther afield than Orlando.
When she’s not out playing in the theme parks or writing for HypeOrlando, Examiner.com, About.com, or one of her many clients, she teaches psychology at an online college, books Disney cruises for travel clients, and tends to her menagerie of dogs, cats, birds, horses, guinea pigs, and bettas (and tries to avoid the “Animal Hoarders” TV crew).